The Ballon d’Or is a prestigious award which illustrates the greatest player of the past 12 months. Surely an award any football player would like to win, this year’s Ballon d’Or is judged solely by a panel of journalists after FIFA and France Football parted ways. Cristiano Ronaldo is favourite to regain the title following

How far can RB Leipzig go? The Bundesliga new-boys’ spectacular start to the season has brought comparisons with last year’s Premier League champions, Leicester City. Though obvious differences (not least the level of fan support and financial backing), Leipzig sit comfortably at the top of the table heading into match day 12 after six straight

Having taking over the managerial helm this past June at OGC Nice, Lucien Favre has already imposed his style of play at Le Gym, without making waves, and while in demand of higher profile European clubs. Quietly, OGC Nice sit comfortably on the podium of the Ligue 1 this season. Arriving freshly in the south

The debut installment of a new column about everything Bundesliga titled, “The Bundesliga Babbel”, by the insightful Victor Charnetsky. As World Cup Qualifying week ends, and Germany started qualifying with a clinical 3-0 win at Norway, die Mannschaft also bids farewell to one of their stalwarts, Bastian Schweinsteiger, last Wednesday winning a friendly match vs

Predicting the stars of the future has always been something I loved doing. Having talks with your friends at school to who will be the next great footballer was a fond memory. Telling people who had no idea about Neymar was when he was at Santos that he will be the next big thing and

Borussia Dortmund have confirmed the acquisition of German international Andre Schurrle from Bundesliga opponents Wolfsburg. Although an official figure is yet to be released by the club, reliable sources in Germany depict the transfer to be around £26.9 million or €32 million, making him Dortmund’s most expensive signing of all time. The 25-year old becomes

For a while now Mario Gotze has been linked with a move back to his former club Borussia Dortmund, but the return now looks odds on to come to fruition sooner rather than later. Hans-Joachim Watzke – Dortmund’s Chief Executive – disclosed earlier in the week that no agreement had been arrived at, but his

To love, one has to hate, and in football one cannot love without hating. It is this immeasurable, deep rooted love for a club that propels one to utterly and completely despise a rival club. The North London derby is driven by the mutual love and loathe from both sets of fan, and the same

Medhi Benatia has successfully completed a switch away from the Allianz Arena after agreeing personal terms with the Italian champions Juventus. The loan spell – which cost £2.5 million- will be for the entire season with the additional option of a permanent transfer for £14.3 million over the next two years. The Moroccan makes his

Southampton have completed the signing of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Bayern Munich for a reported fee of £12.8 million. The news was revealed on Monday by Les Reeds- the Club’s Executive Director of Football- after the 20-year old midfielder finally put pen to paper, inexplicably ending all speculations. His move away from the Allianz Arena has

Below is the eighth installment of a UEFA Euro 2016 column titled “The Russian Review” by Russian football expert and sports journalist, Shaun Nicolaides. Thirty-one days, fifty matches, one winner. After an unbelievable victory against hosts France in the showpiece final, Portugal have been crowed champions of UEFA Euro 2016, and it’s a tournament which will

Antonio Conte will be in charge at Chelsea after his Euro stint coming to a close, with his Italy side impressing so far at the tournament grabbing a fine 2-0 victory over holders Spain in their wake. Given the ex-Juventus manager’s love of the 3-5-2 formation, attention has now turned to who he might buy

The European Championship is a tournament that showcases the best in European football, most of whom are among the best in the world. It is also in such tournaments that future stars are made, young players whose names will be on fans lips for the next couple of years. Here are some of them.

Arsenal look set to have their most active transfer window in numerous years as Arsene Wenger attempts to find the formula needed to end the club’s Premier League title drought and be more competitive in Europe. One player linked to the club is Bayern Munich’s Mario Gotze. The man who scored the decisive goal in

Below is the seventh installment of a Euro 2016 column titled “The Russian Review” by Russian football expert and sports journalist, Shaun Nicolaides. After a slow start, Euro 2016 has burst into life, and football fans all around the continent were treated to a thrilling group stage. Footballing giants such as Germany, Spain and hosts France